Perennial annoyance and fascist demagogue Hatey Hopkins has found herself in hot water over a Daily Mail article she wrote. The courts ruled against her and the Daily Heil and ordered them to pay ‘Substantial Damages’. They tried to release the apology at 2am to hide it. Be a really shame if it got shared about more.

When discussing the election of Donald J Trump as President-elect of the United States, a lot has been made of the “fake news” phenomenon. OneBuzzFeed story in particular, featuring a cottage industry of pro-Trump websites in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia — coincidentally, the same country Melania Trump was born in — was cited by Barack Obama.

In this era of hyped-up McCarthyist accusations, it’s important to realise that the issue here does not just relate to America’s former adversaries. The Patriot News Agency — which arose in July this year, soon after it became obvious Trump would win the Republican nomination — is one such example. Whilst the New York Timesnotes that many foreign conservative outlets (such as the aforementioned Macedonian sites) have been set up to cash in on the Trump phenomenon, Patriot News had another objective: To get Donald J. Trump to be the next President of the United States.

The organisation is headed by Jim Dowson, described by The Times as an “inveterate agitator” and “the invisible man of Britain’s far right”. Dowson, an anti-abortion activist in Northern Ireland who helped set up the far-right Britain First political organisation. Britain First is such a far-right organisation that following the assassination of Labour MP Jo Cox, some in Parliament have called for the group’s proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000. Dowson himself advocated Britain’s exit from the EU and has expressed admiration for the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, speaking at a conference for far-right political leaders in Russia heralding Putin’s defence of traditional western values. This is presumably due to Russia’s stance on gay rights — Dowson set up his own organisation (the Parent Truth Campaign) opposing sex education and gay rights in 2001.

Dowson made it his mission, according to messages posted on one of his sites, to “spread devastating anti-Clinton, pro-Trump memes and sound bites into sections of the population too disillusioned with politics to have taken any notice of conventional campaigning,” in the same way that Dowson “made deft use of social media … to promote [his] work and convey an impression of mass following”, according to the New York Times

The fact that a pro-Trump Britain First activist has managed to create a viral conservative news website should be a wake-up call to liberals in the United States. The seeds of “post-truth” politics already existed beforehand, but the voices promoting them were dismissed as marginal, ringe and insignificant. It is imperative that activists within the United States stop squabbling among themselves and think of a populist counter-message to this extreme xenophobic nationalism which seems to be permeating online at the moment. Politics as usual is over, period.

Dowson, founder of the Britain First group, has made a series of videos begging supporters to send donations to help arm the ragtag militia. The Scottish Daily Record reports Dowson claims the Turkey-Bulgaria border is the key strategic point to be defended from refugee “invaders” who he claims are seeking to take over the world.

He has also appeared on Russian TV, backing the sinister anti-Islam Knights Templar International group and whipping up support for far-right groups in Hungary and other eastern states.

Dowson, from Airdrie, boasts of donating bulletproof vests, night vision goggles, drones and other supplies to the thugs and asks US supporters to sign up or send money.

In the sickening footage, Dowson whispers to the camera: “We are on the Bulgarian Turkish border on patrol and looking for illegals. The dedication these guys have got is very impressive.

“The borders of Europe are being protected more by these men than our governments.

“Today, the Knights Templar International brought along vests and ballistics and drones and night vision, stuff that these guys desperately need.

“A big thank you to supporters in America and the Philippines and other countries who have contributed to this.

“These are men and women, mainly ex-forces, doing it in their own free time, facing all sorts of risks and dangers.

“These are good people and they’re very very deserving of your support.”

On another video, Dowson tells the Bulgarian thugs: “When my grandfather was alive, this land was ruled by Ottomans, by the Muslims.

“Now they’re coming back. Remember the forces of Islam once got as far as Vienna.

Dowson claimed the group are engaged in a “fight of Christ”

“Now they are as far as John O’Groats in Scotland and more and more are coming in.

“This is not political, this is a fight between good and evil, black and white, a fight of the cross, a fight of Christ.

“If you can, please come train with these people, help them. If you’re too old or can’t leave your job, send them some money.

“Get them organised, help them, supply them, meet their needs because they’re guarding your border, my border, the whole of the free western world’s border, even America’s border. The fight is here.”

Dowson formed racist political group Britain First and was closely associated with mosque invasions across the UK where thugs forced their way into the places of worship and confronted imams.

He has also been a key fundraiser for other groups like the BNP.

Earlier this year, Dowson and former BNP supremo Nick Griffin travelled to St Petersburg in Russia for a rally of far-right groups.

Dowson also appeared at the Knights Templar International Hungarian Border Mission as a delegate and staged meetings with banned Hungarian neo-Nazi group Magyar Önvédelmi Mozgalom.

A spokesman for anti-racist group Say No To Hate said: “Dowson and Griffin are clearly up to something.

“They are spending a lot of time in eastern Europe, presenting themselves as viable voices.

“They are simply churning out the same messages of intolerance that they did back in the UK.

“Dowson is appealing to Americans for donations to supply a militia group in Bulgaria, which seems quite alarming.

“They are running around the woods at the Turkish border with rifles, determined to round up refugees. It’s a dreadful proposition. I would urge anyone in the UK or further afield to have nothing to do with them.”

Dowson was recently named in a dossier leaked to the Record detailing the most dangerous extremists.

Dowson is active in Loyalist circles and helped launch the Protestant Coalition, who have links to Britain First. He is also an ex-Calvinist minister and anti-abortionist and set up a BNP call centre in Northern Ireland.

The Daily Record contacted Dowson to ask him about the videos and his support for the Shipka Bulgarian Movement.

He said: “The only time I have ever spoken to the Record you have done nothing but a hatchet job so you’re going to write whatever you’re going to write. You don’t really need a comment from me.”

When our reporter stressed that Dowson had been approached to give him an opportunity to comment, he replied: “Aye right. Okay. Nae bother. Listen, have a nice day my friend.”

The Shipka Bulgarian National Movement claim to be “at war” with Muslim immigrants coming into the country from Turkey.

During my Sunday morning twitter read (I’m not one for going to get the Sunday papers), this tweet from Harry Smith caught my eye:

Can we afford the NHS? The growing costs and underfunding issues are cause for consternation both in the media and politically. The lack of funding for mental health services and care for the elderly, along with stories about waiting lists and patients being left in corridors due to a lack of beds are broadcast daily. These stories are often produced to suit a particular agenda such as immigration debate and health tourism, austerity measures, or doctors’ contracts.

There doesn’t seem to be a market for comparing the taxes of the super rich with the cost of the NHS. Surely in a world where the media attributes and compares costs on a daily basis, this should have been covered in a plethora of articles.

Finding unbiased resources on wealth and income is relatively straightforward. According to the office for national statistics, in 2014 the top 10% in Britain held 45% of the country’s wealth. A 2016 Credit Suisse report found this figure had slightly increased to 46%, with the top 1% now owning 24% of household wealth.

Source – ONS

This was interesting reading, but it didn’t provide the detailed figures I was looking for. The IFS however, was a mine field of figures and stats, albeit many of them not very user friendly without a statistician on hand.

Source – Institute for Fiscal Studies

That income tax for the top 0.1% doesn’t seem quite right though. Based on our income tax system, someone earning £780,000 should pay £337,000 without any tax breaks. That’s an average of £62,000 per person, or £2.6 billion pounds that is being avoided by the 0.1% in income tax alone, not including offshore havens, corporation tax fiddles or any of the schemes and scams that are used.
What can £2.6 billion pay for in the NHS?

5 new flagship hospitals.

16,000 doctors and 36,000 nurses.

486,000 hip replacements.

I think Harry may be on to something with his tweet. I for one would like to see far more comparisons like this in the media. Next time you read an article about how the NHS is struggling with the cost of health tourism, or junior doctors’ contracts, please spare a thought for the 0.1%.

Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced government borrowing is predicted to increase by £110 billion over the next 4 years, largely due to the looming repercussions of Brexit. As well as the direct costs leaving the EU brings, a large proportion is predicted due to a drop in migration and reduced productivity. (Source: Office for Budget Responsibility)

The government will need to borrow more money as migration reduces, because despite the current popular anti-immigration sentiment being peddled by many media channels and politicians, migration is good for the economy, for productivity and for employment.

Although the government has now abandoned hope for Osborne’s unachievable plan for zero deficit by 2020, the austerity blueprint remains. Whilst several high profile plans have experienced U-turns or been diluted by the House of Lords, austerity measures will take £30 a week from around 300,000 sick and disabled people in receipt of ESA, in a bid to cut £455 million from the welfare bill. This will take effect from April 2017.

Nobody really knows yet the full effects Brexit will have on our economy. All forecasts predict financial downturns, but it remains to be seen just how deep and long this will be. This was the first Hammond/May budget announcement, and for many it will feel about as helpful to them as the other Hammond/May partnership showing them how a Lamborghini handles round the track. Unfortunately for the average household and the government, forecasts suggest the books are going to get even harder to balance.

Britain First have had great success on social media, with their Facebook page having gained almost 1.5 million likes in the past few years. Founded by ex BNP chief fundraiser Jim Dowson in 2011, the group started as another of his get-rich-quick schemes. In 2012 they collected money on the streets under the guise of helping ex armed forces, in a true Del and Rodney style complete with folding table that got packed up in seconds if someone called the rozzers.

In 2014 Britain First registered as an official political party, with Paul Golding as leader. Also in 2014 Golding along with his father and his deputy Jayda Fransen, opened a limited company – Britain First Merchandise Ltd. The company initially used Jim Dowson’s patriot store to sell their products, heavily promoting the link on their now popular Facebook page. These days the online shop is directly accessed from the official party website. Party accounts are registered annually with the Electoral Commission and are available to the public. On checking the available 2014 and 2015 accounts, we noted that there was no revenue declared from any commercial or miscellaneous activities. Obviously we were aware the party promoted and sold their merchandise, so we queried this omission of declared funds with the Electoral Commission. The response was sadly unhelpful. Britain First have confirmed to them the Ltd company and the political party are two separate entities and the proceeds from each activity are completely separate.

BUT THEY USE THE SAME WEBSITE! THEY PROMOTE THE GOODS THROUGH THEIR PARTY PAGE!! THEY EMAIL PARTY SUPPORTERS TO ASK THEM TO PURCHASE GOODS!!!

Imagine the same thing happening with the Conservatives or Labour. Surely this can’t be legal, we asked? The EC were once again unhelpful and suggested we contact the police ourselves if we believed fraud had been committed.

Of course, we then reported this to the police action fraud department, along with evidence of Mr Golding and Ms Fransen emailing supporters of the party for donations to fund their own criminal legal proceedings and fines. In what was beginning to feel like a ping pong match, after 5 minutes on hold whilst they took some advice, we were told it was a matter for the Electoral Commission.

We will continue in our quest to find some official department that can take action, and report any progress.

Newscorp international. The far reaching Murdoch Empire, owning vast swathes of the English speaking media.
Sky. 21st Century Fox. Telstra. The Sun. The Australian Telegraph. The Times. Sunday Times. Press Association. New York Times. Dow Jones & Company. Wall Street Journal. The Australian. HarperCollins.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of companies and publications owned by Rupert Murdoch, it purely illustrates the power he holds over the political and social narrative stretching over three continents. You don’t hear that much about Murdoch in the media because he IS the media.
I could talk about phone hacking, I could talk about “king making”, I could talk about controlling governments by controlling the electorate. All very worthwhile topics regarding Murdoch, but there is one particular subject I want to cover here today.
Murdoch’s heavy involvement in Genie Oil and Gas. A subsidiary of IDT energy, spun off in 2011. Afek Oil and Gas is an Israeli subsidiary of Genie. Rupert Murdoch holds shares in Genie, as well as sitting on their Strategic Advisory Board, alongside a stellar cast:
Michael Steinhardt (SAB Chairman) – Noted Wall Street investor and Principal Manager, Steinhardt Management LLC.
Richard Cheney – 46th Vice President of the United States.
Marry Landrieu – United States Senator from Louisiana from 1996 to 2014. Senator Landrieu served as chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In her capacity as chair, she sponsored and passed the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Bill.
Rupert Murdoch – Founder and Executive Chairman of News Corporation, one of the world’s largest diversified media companies. News Corporation’s holdings include significant media assets on six continents.
Bill Richardson – Governor of New Mexico from 2003 to 2011. Mr. Richardson served as Energy Secretary in the Clinton administration (1998-2001).
Jacob Rothschild, OM, GBE – Chairman of the J. Rothschild group of companies and of RIT Capital Partners plc. Chairman of Five Arrows Limited. Lord Rothschold is a noted philanthropist and Chairman of the Rothschild Foundation.
Dr. Lawrence Summers – Charles W. Eliot University Professor and President Emeritus at Harvard University. Dr. Summers served as the 71st Secretary of the Treasury under President Clinton and as Director of the National Economic Council for President Obama.
R. James Woolsey – Director of Central Intelligence from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Woolsey is co-founder of the United States Energy Security Council.
This board reads like a who’s who of Washington, and there’s a good reason for that. Genie Oil was a company set up for the purpose of extracting oil from Golan Heights.
The Golan Heights is a 700 square mile stretch of land on the Syrian / Israeli border. Formally recognised by the UN as Syrian land, the Israeli government seized Golan during the 6 day war of 1967. Israel began constructing settlements in the 1970s and extended Isreali law across the area in 1981. Isreal’s occupation is internationally recognised as illegal.
Back to Genie. Their subsidiary Afek was awarded exploratory drilling rights in Golan in February 2013 by the Israeli government. In October 2015 the company announced a significant find, with WorldOil reporting a 350m oil depth, which is up to 10 times the average oil field.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has even asked President Obama to formally recognise Golan as a part of Israel, citing the Syrian war as justification.
In November 2015, at the first meeting between Netanyahu and Obama in over a year, the Israeli leader allegedly said as Syria was no longer a fully functioning state, this allowed “for different thinking”.
An article from October 2015 in The Jewish Press stated:
Syrian rebels, the Islamic State (ISIS) and the Assad regime, and today that means Russia, now have another reason to capture the Golan Heights – oil.
If Genie manage to extract this oil it would leave Israel independent of its Arab neighbours for fuel for decades, as well as providing a friendly source for the USA. The political ramifications of oil in the Golan are complex and far reaching.
Murdoch is no stranger to using his media control to manipulate voters. He helped Thatcher in the 80s, Blair to power in 1997 and Bush in 2000. He uses his power to influence public opinion. His outlets were all in staunch support of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The war in Syria has been incredibly complicated by the actions of other nation states each supporting their favoured factions. As can be seen from the Jewish Press article, the belief that Russia is supporting Assad for its own gains is a theory considered by Israeli media. From Murdoch’s point of view, continued instability in the region is necessary for business. Genie need Golan Heights to be internationally acknowledged as part of Israel prior to extracting billions of barrels of oil from it. A master of manipulation, a well publicised control freak, and quite likely a narcissist; is Murdoch once again using his control of public opinion and of government heads to suit his own agenda?

Like many groups and individuals whose (bizarre?) hobby is monitoring far right pages on social media we spotted a new kid on the block in 2014 – the Knights Templar International. The Facebook page was a strange mix of ads for clothing (from the Patriot Store, more on that later), Islamophobia, ads to join the order and click bait. From the outset we were suspicious of the page and suspected the involvement of James Dowson, ex Orangeman, BNP and Britain First. The hallmarks of Dowson’s involvement were all over the KTI page. The usual click bait posts, ‘Share if you are against animal cruelty’, ‘Share if you respect our armed forces’ and post after post espousing a pro-life agenda.

And of course the cross posting between KTI and the Britain First Facebook page.

And the infamous email from Britain First leader Paul Golding asking people (in sensitive careers who cannot openly support the party, make of that what you will) to join KTI.

Dowson having claimed before this that he had quit Britain First in disgust at their Mosque invasions (which consisted of Golding and his Blackshirts forcing their way into a Mosque during the quietest period and then harassing elderly Imams). And yet here he is at the Britain First Conference in 2015 (billed as a ‘guest’ speaker and not the power behind the throne that he really is). Jim was also at a Britain First march in 2015, whizzing around in his merchandise van (which says everything about the man).

Also pictured (right) is one Imre Teglasy (more on him later).

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Not anything to do with Britain First though:

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But actual proof of Dowson involvement remained elusive until we discovered a video from a Russian television report where Dowson admitted to being KTI.

KTI covered this ‘Mission’ to Russia extensively…then strangely deleted all the posts…

The officials that KTI had there being Dowson and Griffin, Griffin of course attending in his role as Vice President of the Alliance for Peace and Freedom.

Jim’s full speech there can be viewed here. Worth noting is how he keeps describing Britain First as his party, boasting about its social media reach etc. even though he was supposed to have quit in disgust at the Mosque Invasions.

KTI Novus Ordo Militiae Limited, the business.

So we had proof that KTI was Dowson, but was there anything else to link him to KTI?

Jimbo still nothing to do with the Patriot Store/LionheartGB though, even though he has the same solicitor who sends out the same quasi legal threatening letters if you have the temerity to go up against him.

But all of this could have been a coincidence, the same as Nick Griffin being pictured by KTI during their ‘Mission’ to the Hungarian border.

Also at the KTI Hungarian Border Mission was a mysterious pixellated figure, one of their Templars (pic taken from KTI website, since removed)

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A quick reverse-image search revealed just who the mysterious Templar Knight was…

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Hi Jim!

Purely by coincidence (obviously Jim has quit BF honest guv), Britain First were in Hungary at the same time.

But still no real proof that Griffin is KTI, even the usual cross posting could have been another coincidence…

And another weird coincidence…

Nice White Power symbol there Griffy

It looked like it would remain supposition that Griffin was KTI…until Griffin posted a picture of the KTI WordPress dashboard with himself logged in as Peter Mellows (blog writer on KTI website) on his British Unity Facebook page (post removed a few days later).

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Yeah, we’re still laughing at that.

Peter Mellows, aka Nick Griffin KTI ‘Author’
Edit: Since this blog was released Peter Mellows has mysteriously disappeared, the cat is out of the bag Jimbo/Griffy…

Oh dear a KTI admin being banned for a post at the same time as Nick Griffin, note, Griffin also logged into This is England WordPress dashboard (another Dowson page).

Additional, 08/10/2016 Nick Griffin admits he is KTI on his VK account

Also with Teglasy is one Edda Budaházy, who was at the Hungarian pro life conference with Griffin and Dowson (she is also linked to the Hungarian Outlaws, more on that later)…

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Edda Budaházy is the sister of Gyorgy Budaházy, currently on trial in Budapest for numerous acts of violence with Molotov cocktails. Budaházy has been imprisoned for various militant offenses since 2009.

So via Griffin, KTI are linked to the Alliance of Peace and Freedom group, being investigated by the EU Parliament (for being fascists basically). Linked via Edda and Teglasy to Gyorgy Budaházy a far right extremist who they are championing as a one of their Templars). Are there any other links to extremist groups (other than Britain First)? Edit: Gyorgy Budaházy was found guilty and given a 13 year custodial sentence.

And another far right link, and another claim by KTI that it was their representatives (again Griffin). This time Shipka Bulgarian National Movement (webpage).

These self styled paramilitaries have hit the headlines recently for their dubiously legal border patrols (a bunch of mainly skinhead men running around the forests of Bulgaria hunting refugees down video). Here we see ol’Griffy donning his camo gear before going out on patrol!

They love their guns too (Dowson has proven links already with an Ulster Unionist weapon smuggler).

And here are Dowson and Griffin dropping some KTI supplies off to the same paramilitary group 25/09/2016

Jimbo even has a starring role in this video, but he is not KTI honest.

Worse Action Man EVER!

Image from latest KTI email (Dowson has a conviction for firearm offence)

Not sure what they actually do, as yet. Far right politically it seems and reviving the Order of the Dragon for Serbian nationalist reasons (bit like the “Templars”).

Should we be worried about the Knights Templar International and their links to extremists? Is KTI just another fake Templar group whose mission is to make money (via subscriptions and the selling of merchandise through the Patriot Store)? Or do they have a longer term political endgame in mind? We at IRBF will keep watching, and reporting.

Edit: KTI’s video would certainly suggest that they wish to set up underground paramilitary groups (most likely along the lines of Ulster Unionist with which Jim Dowson already has links). Although This is quite an old video, anyone with a knowledge of history will notice the word “Euskal”, It’s a propaganda video promoting the Basques separatists, ETA. But worth noting is the VII VII VII that keeps appearing on the video, 777 being a pan-European paramilitary group.

Could just be another marketing ploy though…

addendum: On the 26/05/2016 KTI on Facebook, for the first time, confirmed links to Jim Dowson (Video Here).

Nick Griffin responded on his Facebook page by confirming that he and Dowson are indeed KTI once again. And that they are the owners of the fake news sites mentioned.

Channel 4 News (ITN) have produced a report on how KTI manipulate with fake news.

Additional:

James Dowson has now been kicked out of Hungary.

“James Dowson (pictured), a British citizen and far-right figure residing in Hungary, has been banned from the country, Hungarian newspaper Magyar Narancs reported Wednesday.

The Hungarian Interior Ministry issued a statement explaining that Dowson has been deemedpersona non grata upon the suggestion of TEK, Hungary’s anti-terror organization. Magyar Narancs reported that had it received information earlier saying Dowson was considered a threat to Hungarian national security.” Full article from the Budapest Beacon here:

Additional additonal:

“Budapest (AFP) – Hungary has declared British far-right figure Nick Griffin a “persona non grata” and barred him from the country, the interior ministry said Friday.

The announcement came two days after Budapest expelled James Dowson, another prominent British far-right activist with links to Griffin.” Full article here:

Déjà vu all over again…

Here we go again. Jimbo has, like the turd that just won’t flush, bobbed back to the surface. This time in Serbia. And once again he is equiping far right groups with drones. As we noted earlier in the blog, this time it is with the Order of the Dragon.

“The activities of nationalist and far-right groups in this volatile region, particularly as a probe by BIRN has revealed a constellation of loosely linked groups which claims that they are attempting to equip and prepare Kosovo Serbs with drones, communication equipment and links to powerful Russians in order to resist an attack. Weapons have, however, not been referenced.

These groups believe that an offensive by Kosovo Albanians on the area’s ethnic Serb enclaves is looming, although no evidence exists that any such operation is planned.

This wide network of far-right groups and activists gravitates around the Belgrade-based Order of the Dragon, named after 15th Century Christian knights who fought the Ottoman Empire, and which in the past has made regular deliveries to Kosovo Serb families of warm clothes, food and other household goods.

Those linked to it include Jim Dowson, a prominent British right-winger who describes himself as a Christian activist and who was banned from Hungary earlier this year.

Through a new group called the Knights Templar International that describes Dowson as its spokesman, he also calls for the delivery of equipment such as tactical vests and drones to Serb groups in northern Kosovo.”

‘Jim Dowson again in Belgrade! And he trains Serbian nationalistsJim Dowson was the guest of Belgrade at the invitation of the President of the Serbian right, Miša Vacić. Dovson, extremely influential among nationalists throughout Europe, is a leading expert in political marketing.

He was also hired by US President Donald Tramp for his campaign for presidential elections. Which of course resulted in Tramp’s victory.

One of the reasons for Dowson’s arrival to Belgrade is a series of training workshops in the field of political marketing, especially intended for members of the Serbian Right.

During the lecture, Jim Dowson conveyed his small secrets to the great master, stressing that he was very pleased to cooperate with the future leading (and only) national option in Serbia.’ Here:

We will post a link to this when it gets aired, as an aside, if we’re being funded by Soros he has not as yet coughed up. (link added, excellent piece by Radio Four)

Jimbo on the Victoria Derbyshire Show 01/05/2018 – denying he is raking the money in from his fake news sites lol